Author Philip Gulley to speak at Fortville Public Library in May

In an effort to launch more programming for Fortville and McCordsville residents, the Fortville Public Library recently applied for and was selected for a Novel Conversations grant through Indiana Humanities.

Philip Gulley, author of several faith-based books, will speak at the Fortville Public Library May 8. (Submitted photo)

The grant will allow Philip Gulley, the author of several faith-based books, to speak at 6:30 p.m. May 8 at the library, 625 East Broadway, Fortville.

“I got here in September, and that was around the time Indiana Humanities sent out the Novel Conversations grant information,” Library Director Kirsten Edwards said. “We are trying to get into doing more programs here at Fortville, and so when I saw this, I thought it was a great opportunity to get a pretty well-known Hoosier author out here.”

Edwards, who previously worked at the Hamilton East Public Library in Fishers, saw Gulley speak at the Fishers library in 2014 and thought he was the right selection for the Fortville Public Library.

“He’s going to do a reading and also kind of do a Q&A, meet-and-greet with folks,” Edwards said.

The library will provide refreshments. Edwards said she hopes the library adopts a similar eventannually.

“We are hoping to, through the Novel Conversations program or on our own, have an annual event where we have an author or a Hoosier storyteller come out,” she said. “We want people to be excited to come to the library again and for more than just traditional books and services and things like that.”

Library to close for renovations

From Jan. 21-26, the Fortville Public Library will close for renovations, including new carpeting and paint. Patrons still can return items through the exterior book drop, but Director Kirsten Edwards said there will be no late fines for items due that week.